It will be a celebration day on Saturday at the Aube stadium. On the sidelines of the reception of the Red Star, the Estac will indeed celebrate its 125th anniversary with in particular on the program a gala match to oppose former Troyes players to those of FC Metz. A birthday to which will assist several big names of the Estac including Benjamin Nivet, Jérôme Rothen, Mamadou Niang or Bafetimbi Gomis.
Because if the “panther” remained more in memories for her passages to Saint-Etienne, Lyon or Marseille, Bafétimbi Gomis spent six months in Troyes while the club played in Ligue 2. ” Troyes is a club that has counted a lot for me. When I got there (January 2005), I was a player who was to confirm the expectations placed in him ”, he told Est-Eclair.
Bafetimbi Gomis evolved for six months at Estac.
“At that time, division 1 was a little difficult for me. Several clubs had contacted me for a loan but Troyes was the most convincing. It was the best solution to cross a level, he continued. I received a lot of confidence from the club, from the inhabitants. It was a special moment in my career, I have always followed the Estac behind. »»
And for the former striker of the French team, his career would not have been the same without this passage to Troyes. “Yes, I'm even sure. I was able to evolve in Ligue 1 because Troyes offered me this opportunity to have playing time, he explained. I was 19 years old and in the midst of great players, I was given responsibilities, while being hard and severe with me. This is what I needed. I worked a lot and in return, I received a lot of love. The Estac jersey is hung in good place in my office. »»
Author of six goals in 13 games, Bafetimbi Gomis caught the eye of Saint-Etienne in the Trojan jersey. In particular thanks to Jean-Marc Furlan, emblematic coach of the ESTAC, to whom the native of did not fail to pay tribute. “I progressed in Troyes, Jean-Marc Furlan was hard with me, that's what I was missing”, he said, adding:
“Humanly and sportingly, these six months were magnificent. After my visit, I succeeded in Saint-Etienne but it was in Troyes that I became aware of my qualities. “
